The Novel Role of GDI2: A Mini-Review

GDP Dissociation Inhibitor 2 (GDI2) plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating Rab GTPases involved in vesicular transport. This review highlights the importance of GDI2 in various biological processes, particularly embryonic development, apoptosis regulation, cancer, and immune responses. GDI2's essential function in embryonic development is evidenced by the embryonic lethality observed in GDI2 knockout mice. In apoptosis, GDI2 is implicated in the caspase pathway, influencing cell survival and death. In cancer, dysregulation of GDI2 contributes to altered tumor cell-macrophage interactions, promoting inflammation and metastasis, with GDI2 acting as a metastasis suppressor in certain cancers. Furthermore, GDI2's role in immune responses, particularly during bacterial infections, and its potential therapeutic implications in conditions like Alzheimer's disease are explored. This review emphasizes the need for further research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of GDI2 and its potential as a therapeutic target in developmental disorders, cancer, and immune-related diseases.